By Muhammed Akindele
Kogi State witnessed another disturbing wave of violent attacks between Saturday and Sunday as armed bandits struck two communities in Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas, kidnapping worshippers, a pastor and his wife, as well as travellers on a major highway.
The first incident occurred on Sunday morning when gunmen invaded the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West, during a church service. Worshippers fled in fear as heavy gunshots rang out across the community.
The pastor, popularly known as Orlando, was abducted alongside his wife and several members of the congregation. Residents described the attack as sudden and terrifying, noting that the exact number of kidnapped victims remained unclear at press time.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the church attack.
In a separate incident on Saturday, suspected bandits mounted a roadblock along the Isanlu–Makutu–Idofin road in Yagba East, abducting several travellers.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen operated for hours, stopping vehicles and forcefully marching passengers into the forest. A resident, Enimola Daramola, said about three vehicles ran into the ambush and almost all occupants were taken, except one person who escaped.
Security operatives, including soldiers and local vigilantes, later engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel deep in the forest and were able to rescue some victims.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the attack. Police spokesperson, CSP William Aya, said three people were in one of the attacked vehicles.
“One person, Raji Adesukami, managed to escape, while the other two were taken away by the kidnappers,” he said.
Aya added that the Commissioner of Police had deployed special squads — including the Quick Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Mobile Police Force — to track the kidnappers, rescue remaining victims and restore security in the area.
